As we enter one of the busiest hiring seasons in an uncertain economy, job seekers are looking for the most stable companies, and finding an organization with strong leadership is more crucial than ever. When we ask workers what companies with quality leaders have in common, they consistently use words like “supportive,” “flexible,” and “professional.” But sussing out strong leadership without a little help can be tricky.
For the last 16 years, Glassdoor experts have analyzed millions of reviews to create our annual Best Places to Work list, the most authentic and trusted workplace awards. And last year, we went even deeper with our research, using our proprietary algorithm and Review Intelligence™, our sentiment analysis tool, to find the top leadership teams based on employee reviews. This year, we’re doing the same — giving job seekers a just-in-time guide for navigating the current market through Glassdoor’s Best-Led Companies 2025 list.
What makes a company a best-led company?
This exclusive ranking, based on employee reviews, highlights companies where workers feel supported, empowered, and professionally guided by top-tier leadership. Best-Led Companies have best-in-class leaders based specifically on Glassdoor ratings of CEO approval ratings, senior management ratings, and senior leadership sentiment. Leadership approval ratings were determined based on the quantity, quality, and consistency of reviews during the eligibility period.
Meet the Best-Led Companies: Key insights from the 2025 list
Ultimately, Glassdoor's Best-Led Companies list proves that a company's success is deeply connected to its senior leadership team. These top-ranked organizations demonstrate that strong, empathetic, and empowering management is not just a bonus — it’s the foundation for an exceptional employee experience. By providing a transparent look at company leadership through authentic employee reviews, this list serves as a valuable resource for job seekers navigating the modern workforce.
Top industries and metro areas represented
Here are a few highlights of this year’s Best-Led Companies:
- Twenty-three of the winning companies also ranked on Glassdoor’s Best Places to Work 2025 list, demonstrating that strong leadership is crucial in creating exceptional employee experiences.
- Tech is the most represented industry with 22 Technology companies on the list (up from 12 in 2024), followed by Manufacturing (5), Finance (4),and Consulting (4)
- The top metro areas are the San Francisco Bay Area, CA (10 companies), Boston, MA (6), and New York City, NY (6).
Best Led Companies 2025: Top 10
- NVIDIA
- In-N-Out Burger
- MathWorks
- Crew Carwash
- Keller Williams
- Milwaukee Tool
- EPAM Systems
- Methodist Health System
- Synchrony
- ServiceNow
1. NVIDIA
Industry: Technology
CEO: Jensen Huang
What employees are saying:
“- I feel great agency to make things happen. People actually listen. Most are very helpful and respectful.
- Very few management levels, great transparency.
- A lot of very smart and capable people.
- Not too much bureaucracy.”
Industry: Restaurants, Bars & Food Services
CEO: Lynsi Snyder
What employees are saying:
“Associates and Managers are very friendly and encourage individuals to perform at their best. There are benefits available. The managers have an emphasis on quality and cleanliness.”
3. MathWorks
Industry: Technology
CEO: Jack Little
What employees are saying:
“Exceptional leadership that consistently models integrity and a “do the right thing” mindset. Strong culture of transparency, quarterly stakeholder bonuses, and thoughtful perks like free food that support employee well-being.”
4. Crew Carwash
Industry: Retail
CEO: Bill Dahm
What employees are saying:
“Crew Carwash truly lives their values. Safety, Teamwork, and Integrity aren’t just words—they actually show up in how decisions are made, how people are treated, and how success is celebrated. Leadership is highly visible and approachable, and there’s a genuine culture of appreciation at every level.”
Industry: Real Estate
CEO: Chris Czarnecki
What employees are saying:
“Nurturing team work . My office is filled with amazing Leadership and Team members. Love it!!”
Industry: Manufacturing
Presidents: Tim Albrecht, Group President - Hand Tools, Storage, PPE & Channel Marketing; Shane Moll, Group President - Power Tools & Equipment; Scott Griswold , Group President - Professional Accessories; Christine Delisle, Chief Financial Officer; Darrell Hendrix, Group President - Sales; James Wamsley, Group President - Global Operations
What employees are saying:
“Milwaukee is a great fit for those who are driven, want to progress and develop, and those who want exposure to many different sides of the business. Leadership teams prioritize helping you where you want to go and are invested in your development. I've seen team members go from marketing, to training, to sales. There are plenty of opportunities here.”
7. EPAM Systems
Industry: Technology
CEO: Balazs Fejes
What employees are saying:
“Managers and colleagues are very supportive. It's great to work with a team that really wants everyone to succeed. There is a very considerate work life balance (and doesn't make you feel guilty for taking care of yourself).”
Industry: Health Care
CEO: James C. Scoggin, Jr.
What employees are saying:
“The culture at Methodist Dallas is by far the best I've experienced in my 27-year career. The president of my facility sets the standard for what a healthcare leader should be, and the employees across the network embody what it means to truly serve the community. I feel supported and encouraged to achieve all of my goals.”
9. Synchrony
Industry: Finance
CEO: Brian Doubles
What employees are saying:
“Strong emphasis on work-life balance, supportive management, comprehensive benefits, opportunities for growth, and a friendly team atmosphere. Synchrony prioritizes employee well-being and offers flexibility, making it a positive place to work.”
10. ServiceNow
Industry: Technology
CEO: Bill McDermott
What employees are saying:
“Surrounded by exceptional talent, minus the egos; leadership is transparent in every aspect of the business; Managers are supportive of moving to new roles for personal growth; the business encourages teamwork but also allows for autonomy in executing the work.”
The leadership imperative in today's market
In an era of rapid change and economic uncertainty, exceptional leadership has become the defining factor for organizational success. Today's market demands leaders who can navigate complexity while maintaining employee trust and engagement.
The leading organizations on this year's Best-Led Companies list prove that strong leadership isn't just valuable — it's essential for navigating complexity, driving innovation, and maintaining employee trust when challenges mount. Explore the complete rankings to see how these companies are setting the standard in today's work world.